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State court judge resigns amid misconduct investigation

ATLANTA — A judge in Georgia has resigned amid an investigation into judicial misconduct.

Sumter County State Court Judge Russ Barnes notified Gov. Nathan Deal on Thursday of his decision to leave the bench.

The Judicial Qualifications Commission said in a court filing Friday that it had been investigating allegations that Barnes misappropriated official funds. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports that the commission did not offer further details. Barnes signed a consent order promising never to seek or accept judicial office in the future.

Barnes did not return a phone call seeking comment. He is the seventh Georgia judge to resign or retire this year while being investigated over misconduct allegations.